The impact of divorce on the well-being and
long-term development of a child can be significant and adversely affect the
child’s emotional state, behavior, schoolwork and other aspects of the
child’s life.
In 2009, there were 3,358 dissolutions of marriage
(divorce or annulment) in Pinellas County with 38% of dissolutions affecting
families with minor children. Dissolutions involving families with minor
children decreased 4.2% from 2008 to the lowest level in the last ten years
and affected slightly more than 2,000 minor children, approximately 1.2% of
the under 18 population.
Based on the Census Bureau’s American Community survey for 2006-08,
Pinellas County recorded 26 dissolutions of marriage per 1000 marriages
for families with minor children.
62% of dissolutions involved families
with no children. For families with minor children, 33% of dissolutions
involved one child, 46% affected two children and 21% involved three or
more children.
